This paper reviews the concept of functional territories and their application in drafting flexible development strategies that are not bound by administrative boundaries; highlighting that such strategies can often better capture the importance of development processes, collaborative working and social networks in driving and/or supporting spatial patterns of local economic activities. The potential application and benefits of functional territories to the forthcoming National Planning Framework (NPF) for Ireland is also highlighted.
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Title: Applying the Functional Territories Concept: Planning Beyond Boundaries |
| Publication Date: June 2016 | |
| Author: Dr. Cormac Walsh, Mr. John Driscoll & Ms. Caroline Creamer |
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| Summary: Previous research carried out by the ICLRD argues that “administrative boundaries do not always coincide with patterns of economic and social activity ‘on the ground’; and as a result, administrative areas can become divorced from the functions of towns and cities” (Gleeson et al, 2010). | |
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